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The Appellate tribunal has reduced the ban imposed on Pakistani pace man Shoaib Akhtar, to 18 months instead of earlier 5 years imposed on by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Rs 70 lakh was also fined on him with this ban on Saturday.

In March 2008, Shoaib was banned for five years by the disciplinary committee of the PCB for violating code of conduct. Shoaib appealed against the five-year-ban and today the decision was delivered in Lahore by the tribunal, legal counsel of the Pakistan Cricket Board.

“The tribunal has taken the decision with a clear conscience and under no pressure from either the board or anyone else,” tribunal head Justice Aftab Farrukh told a news conference, adding that the three-member tribunal unanimously felt the original punishment was too harsh.

“We also took into consideration the past record of Shoaib and that he had publicly apologized for his behavior and past deeds,” Farrukh said. “He has promised to reform himself and we have also recommended to the board that he should be given proper counseling.” He added.

He was allowed to play in the Indian Premier League [Images] after the tribunal suspended his ban for one month.

The player always remains in controversies because of his short tempered nature. Many times, he became a part of such incidents for his misbehavior or for other such reasons.

Last year, he was banned for 13 international matches and fined Rs. 3.4 million ($120,300) for four breaches of discipline including striking team mate Mohammad Asif with a bat before Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa and put on two-year probation.

Shaoib’s has played 46 tests and 138 one-day internationals and due to this ban he will miss the Asia Cup and Champions Trophy being hosted by Pakistan this year.

His lawyer Abid Hasan Minto however said that they will appeal to higher court regarding the case. “But we will take a decision after going through the long and detailed order of the tribunal,” Minto said.

Tags: Ban, Cricket, Pakistan, Shoaib, Shoaib Akhter

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) banned the controversial pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar for five years responsible for breaking code of Conduct successively. After the ban neither he will be allowed to play for Pakistan nor anywhere in Pakistan but is allowed to play in BCCI’s Indian Premiere League (IPL). Shoiab can contest the ban in the next 5-7 days.

Shoaib was under two year watch however there were 14 to 15 instances where he was found guilty of breaching the player’s code of conduct.

PCB chairman Dr. Naseem Ashraf said, “The board has lost confidence in Shoaib Akhtar and therefore felt his presence in the field was damaging to the Pakistan team, for Pakistan players and for the image of Pakistan cricket.”

He said, “However Shoaib can file an appeal against the ban. But after the ban he can’t play for Pakistan and nowhere in Pakistan. He can play for IPL as it doesn’t come under our rights.”

Shoaib was bought by Shah Rukh Khan’s Kolkata Knight Riders.

PCB also alerted the leg spinner Danish Kaneria for his dialogues against the policies of the board and warned him for the same. The board had authorized the disciplinary committee to clear or penalize the two players.

In the new central contracts given out to the players, the penalties for speaking out against the policies of the board include a fine of Rs 1- 10 crore, three penalty points in the contract and even a ban of one to seven matches. Akhtar, however, had not been given a new central contract, but instead offered a special retainer which he had refused to accept.

Several severe amendments are made in new contracts for misconduct by players. He can even be fined Rs 2-10 lakh or banned for three to six matches if a player fails to report for a fitness test or does not listen to the board and team directives.

Tags: Akhtar, Pakistan, Shoaib, Shoaib AKhtar